Optical aiming device

ABSTRACT

An aiming device for a projectile launcher, such as an archery bow, has 2 concentric light bending devices. A rotation mechanism allows the light bending devices to be rotated in opposite directions relative to one another in a synchronic manner that carries a line of sight through the aiming device to move along a substantially straight vertical line as the rotation mechanism is rotated. The rotation mechanism is calibrated to show how much rotation causes the line of sight to pass through where a projectile launched from the projectile launcher would be when it reaches a particular distance from the projectile launcher.

BACKGROUND

The subject invention relates to the aiming of projectiles that arelaunched at a visible target object from bows, crossbows, firearms andpellet guns.

For the projectile to land where desired, the launching device must bealigned in such a manner that the trajectory of the projectile is takeninto account. A common way of aligning the launching device is to havealignment references attached to the launching device. These alignmentreferences are referred to as an aiming device.

The aiming device provides a line-of-sight reference that is a straightline in space. This line-of sight reference is aligned to the up anddown plane of the trajectory of the projectile and to some point on thattrajectory, which is a known distance from the projectile launcher.Thus, when the line-of-sight reference of the aiming device is alignedwith a target object at that known distance, the projectile will landprecisely on the target object. However, because of the trajectory ofthe projectile, if the distance is not the same known distance that theline-of-sight reference is aligned to and the line-of-sight reference isaligned with the target object, the projectile will land above or belowthe target object.

To overcome this situation, some aiming devices are made to beadjustable in a manner that allows the line-of-sight reference to bemoved up and down within the plane of the trajectory of the projectile.Examples of aiming devices used on bows, to adjust the line-of-sightreference for varying distances are; Slates-U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,822,Gibbs-U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,966, and Heck-U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,560.Examples of adjustable aiming devices used on guns, and crossbows toadjust the line-of-sight reference for varying distances are;Barnett-U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,351, Wilhide-U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,289, andBass-U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,304.

Aiming devices help the eye to be properly aligned with theline-of-sight reference. The most common way of accomplishing properalignment of the eye with the line-of-sight reference is to have theaiming device consist of two points separated by distance such that whenthe two points are visually aligned, the eye is aligned with theline-of-sight reference. The telescopic sights use optics to superimposea line-of-sight reference, such as crosshair, on an image of the targetobject and require less precise alignment with the eye.

A common method of creating an adjustable line-of-sight reference onbows is to use device 40, shown in FIG. 1A, similar to the one describedby Chipman in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,357, immovably attached to thebowstring. Along with a device that has a movable aiming point, like theones described by Slates in U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,822, Gibbs in U.S. Pat.No. 5,384,966 or Heck in U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,560, attached to the bow.Aligning the aiming points of these two devices creates a line-of-sightreference. This line-of-sight reference can be adjusted to differentpoints on the trajectory of the arrow by moving the aiming point ofSlates's, Heck's or Gibbs's device up or down while the aiming point ofChipman's device remains stationary.

A major drawback of adjustable bow devices like Gibbs's, Heck's andSlates's is as the line-of-sight reference is adjusted for the differentdistances on the trajectory of the arrow, the eye must be repositionedin respect to device 40 in order to maintain proper alignment with theline-of-sight reference, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A. Repositioningthe eye requires the person holding the bow to use a different alignmentof the muscles and skeletal structure. A different alignment of themuscles and skeletal structure for each of the distances along thetrajectory of the arrow decreases the person's ability to keep theline-of-sight reference aligned to the target object and decreased theperson's ability to execute the launch of the arrow in a consistentmanner. The arrow must be launched in a manner that causes the arrow'strajectory to be consistent with the trajectory for which theline-of-sight reference was created.

Another major drawback in using devices like Gibbs's, Heck's andSlates's is that, lowering the aiming point too far will cause it tointerfere with the launch of the arrow and deflect the trajectory of thearrow from the trajectory that the line-of-sight reference is alignedto. Also when the aiming points of devices like Gibbs's, Heck's andSlates's are lowered past the point of interference with the arrowlaunch, the aiming points are obscured by the frame of the bow and thehand of the person holding the bow and can not be used to create aline-of-sight reference. Thus, the line-of-sight reference can not bealigned to distances that require the aiming points of devices likeGibbs's, Heck's and Slates's to be lowered until they interfere with thelaunch and trajectory of the arrow or are obscured by the bow or thehand of the person holding the bow.

A telescopic sight is a popular line-of-sight reference use to aimfirearms and crossbows. The telescopic sight is attached to the firearmor crossbow, in such a manner that the optics of the telescopic sightcan be aligned to the two-dimensional plane of the trajectory of theprojectile and aligned to a distance along the trajectory of theprojectile. Normally, telescopic sights are made with provisions formaking internal adjustment to the optics. These internal adjustments areused to align the optical line-of-sight reference to one distance on thetrajectory of the projectile, as shown in Tomita's U.S. Pat. No.5,615,487.

Drawbacks of the internal adjustments are; they are inconvenient to usein the field and difficult to calibrate for different distances on thetrajectory of the projectile. These drawbacks are addressed in Barnett'sU.S. Pat. No. 6,073,351, Wilhide's U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,289, Bass's U.S.Pat. No. 4,317,304 and Hicks's U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,757.

A drawback of Barnett's, Wilhide's and Bass's devices is the need tochange eye position when the line-of-sight reference is adjusted todifferent points on the projectile's trajectory. Hick's device makes theinternal adjustments of the telescopic sight more accessible but stilldifficult to calibrate for different distances.

Groh's U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,581 utilizes a laser range finder, anelectronic coprocessor, and a second projected crosshair inside atelescopic sight for rifles. The expense and bulk of this device is adrawback. An additional drawback of Groh's device is that the range islimited to the field-of-view of the telescopic sight.

Wedge prisms are similar to lens, but are designed to bend light. Theangle-of-deflection is the amount a wedge prism bends light. Wedgeprisms are made with a single angle-of-deflection. In my invention twowedge prisms are mounted on a common axis of rotation and in parallelplanes, the angle-of-deflection of light through the two wedge prismsbecomes variable as the wedge prisms are rotated.

Laser beams can be aimed by using this variable angle-of-deflectionarrangement of two wedge prisms as shown in the 2002 “Optics and OpticalInstruments Catalog” distributed by “Edmund Industrial Optics”.Bramley's U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,752, Wallace's U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,170,and Isbell's U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,821 uses a variable angle-of-deflectionarrangement of two wedge prisms to align images in sighting devices, butnot for changing the line-of-sight reference with respect to a distanceon the trajectory of a projectile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device for aiming a projectile launcher includes first and secondlight bending devices which are concentrically aligned. The lightbending devices can be rotated counter to one another and the rotationis synchronized such that a line of sight of a viewer lookinghorizontally through the aiming device moves substantially along astraight line as the light bending devices are rotated. The aimingdevice is calibrated to indicate the amount of rotation necessary tocause the line of sight to pass through the point where a projectilelaunched by the projectile launcher will be when it reaches a particulardistance.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of theinvention will be more readily understood upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 1A show prior art aiming devices used on an archery bow.

FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B show how light is deflected through aligned lightbending elements as the elements are synchronously counter-rotated.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an aiming device embodying a firstembodiment of my invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the aiming device of FIG. 3 adapted foruse on an archery bow.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the aiming device of FIG. 3 adapted foruse with a telescopic sight.

FIG. 6 is a distal end elevation view of the aiming device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6A is in a sectional view taken along the line 6A-6A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6B is in a sectional view taken along the line 6B-6B of FIG. 6,showing the components of the rotational drive system.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the aiming device of FIG. 3 partiallybroken away to show hidden detail.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the broken away portion of FIG. 7 showingthe attachment and placement of the cables used in the first embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 8 is a distal end elevation view of the aiming device of FIG. 3with components removed to show the position of engaged rotational drivecomponents.

FIG. 8A is a sectional view taken along the line 8A-8A of FIG. 8,showing the position of engaged rotational drive components.

FIG. 9 is a distal end elevation view, similar to FIG. 8 but at adifferent rotation to show the position of disengaged rotational drivecomponents.

FIG. 9A is a sectional view taken along the line 9A-9A of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a distal end elevation view of an aiming device embodying asecond embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 10A is a sectional view taken along the line 10A-10A of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an aiming device embodying a thirdembodiment of the subject invention adapted for mounting on an archerybow.

FIG. 12 is a proximal end elevation view of an aiming device of FIG. 11showing the linkage in a position that would cause a maximum amount ofdeflection of the line of sight through the wedge prisms and the meansof fastening the two major sections together.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the aiming device of FIG. 11 showingthe slots through which the linkage is connected to the wedge prisms andthe linkage position such that the amount of deflection of the line ofsight though the wedge prisms would be zero.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

When two wedge prisms of equal angles of deflection are aligned withtheir thickest portions facing vertically upward, a viewer lookingthrough them along a horizontal sight line 53 sees objects that liealong an upwardly projecting line, as shown in FIG. 2. This provides themaximum upward deflection of the viewer's sight line. When the proximalwedge prism 1 is rotated ninety degrees clockwise and the distal wedgeprism 2 is rotated ninety degrees counterclockwise, the angle ofdeflection of the viewer's sight line when looking through the wedgeprisms is zero, as shown in FIG. 2A. When the proximal wedge prism 1 isrotated clockwise an additional ninety degrees, equaling a total of 180degrees of rotation, and the distal wedge prism 2 is rotated anadditional ninety degrees counter clockwise, also equaling a total of180 degrees of rotation, the angle of deflection of the viewer's sightline when looking through the wedge prisms again becomes maximum, but inthe opposite direction of the alignment, as shown in FIG. 2B.

Two wedge prisms with the same angle of deflection are located in anaiming device which allows the wedges to be rotated in a synchronizedopposite manner such that a line of sight through the wedges moves alonga straight line as the wedges are rotated. The amount of rotation isreferenced to distances along the trajectory of the projectile, and theaiming device is calibrated to show the particular amount of rotationthat corresponds to a particular distance.

The subject invention provides a means to align the straight-linemovement of the image produced by the synchronized-opposite-rotation ofthe wedge prisms with the up and down trajectory of the projectile. Theaiming points that are used to create the line-of-sight reference arealigned left and right as needed by conventional means already inexistence.

Referring to FIGS. 3-9, 6A, 6B, 7A, 8A and 9A, an aiming device includesa shell which is made up of a base 3 and a housing 4 to which all theother components are added. The base 3 and housing 4 are made of metal.

The outside configuration of base 3 needs to take into account themanner in which the aiming device is going to be mounted to a projectilelauncher, such as an archery bow. Examples of some outsideconfigurations are shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 where a post 34 was addedto the outside configuration of base 3 in FIG. 4 and a threaded portion37 was added to the outside configuration of base 3 in FIG. 5.

The proximal end of base 3 has a viewing port 51 of a size as shown inFIG. 3, that allows for viewing the image that passes through a distalprism 2 and a proximal prism 1. The distal end of base 3 has acounterbored hole 52 that is aligned with the viewing port 51.Counterbored hole 52 has a diameter that allows for a slip fit with theoutside diameter of proximal ring 6. Counterbored hole 52 has a depththat allows for a slip fit with the proximal ring 6 when the housing 4,distal ring 5, proximal ring 6 and base 3 are assembled into a singleunit. The counterbored hole 52 is cut-away on one side to provide for amicro adjusting screw 10.

A metal Micro adjusting screw 10 is attached to a pivot 11 by insertinga smooth portion of the micro adjusting screw 10 that has a diametersmaller than the micro screw ridges 48 through a hole in pivot 11 and isheld in place by a metal retaining screw 13. The head of retaining screw13 has a larger diameter than that portion of the micro adjusting screw10 that is inserted into a hole in pivot 11. Retaining screw 13 isthreaded into a drilled and tapped hole in the end of micro adjustingscrew 10 and is tightened against the end of micro adjusting screw 11.An access hole (not shown) must be made in the base 3 to installretaining screw 13.

Pivot 11 is made of a plastic material that provides a tight butrotatable fit around the smooth portion of the micro adjusting screw 10that is inserted into a hole in the pivot 11. Pivot 11 also provides fora tight but rotatable fit between the head of retaining screw 13 and theflange created on the micro adjusting screw 10 by having a diametersmaller than the micro screw ridges 48. Pivot 11 provides a diameterthat is inserted into a hole in base 3 and is at a right angle to themicro adjusting screw 10. The diameter portion of pivot 11 is insertedinto a hole in base 3 and is of a size that provides a tight butrotatable fit with the hole in base 3. The depth of the hole in base 3,the length of the diameter portion of pivot 11 and the portion of pivot11 that the micro adjusting screw 10 is inserted into is configured suchthat pivot 11 does not extend above the surface that the housing 4 ismounted to. The hole in pivot 11 that connects with micro adjustingscrew 10 is located in a location that causes the micro screw ridges 48of micro adjusting screw 10 to be in the same plane as the proximal ringridges 43 of proximal ring 6.

The micro adjusting screw 10 extends from the pivot 11 through a slot inbase 3 that allows the micro adjusting screw 10 to move in an arc withpivot 11 as the center of that arc. The arc that the slot in base 3allows is enough to cause the micro screw ridges 48 of micro adjustingscrew 10 to engage and disengage with the proximal ring ridges 43 ofproximal ring 6.

The micro screw ridges 48 of micro adjusting screw 10 uniformly spiralalong a portion of the length of micro adjusting screw 10 whilemaintaining a consistent diameter, just like the threads on a standardscrew. The proximal ring ridges 43 that are part of the outside surfaceof proximal ring 6 are configured such that when the micro screw ridges48 are engaged with the proximal ring ridges 43 that the proximal ring 6will not rotate about the line-of-sight axis 53 until the microadjusting screw 10 is disengaged or rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Micro adjusting screw 10 is held in the position engaged by a speciallyconfigured spring 21. Spring 21 is made of metal spring wire and isshaped to apply pressure to the divots 23 that are equally spaced aboutthe diameter of micro adjusting screw 10. Spring 21 is shaped so that itcan be attached to base 3 by metal screw 22 threading into a drilled andtapped hole in base 3. Clearance for the placement and subsequentoperational movement of spring 21 must be provided in base 3.

Spring 21 is configured such that when micro adjusting screw 10 is inthe engaged position as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 8A, that spring 21 isin a relationship to divots 23 that causes the micro adjusting screw 10to resist becoming disengaged and to resist rotating about thelongitudinal axis. Spring 21 is also configured so that when the microadjusting screw 10 is in the disengaged position as shown in FIG. 9 andFIG. 9A, that the micro adjusting screw 10 resists moving to the engagedposition.

When micro adjusting screw 10 is in the engaged position, theconfiguration of the micro screw ridges 48 and the proximal ring ridges43 is such that the metal proximal ring 6 can not rotate unless microadjusting screw 10 is rotated about its longitudinal axis. When in theengaged position and the micro adjusting screw 10 is rotated the microscrew ridges 48 exert a pressure on the proximal ring ridges 43 thatcauses the proximal ring 6 to rotate about the line of sight axis 53.Because of the linkage between the proximal ring 6 and the distal ring5, when the proximal ring 6 rotates about the line of sight axis 53, thedistal ring 5 also rotates about the line of sight axis 53 but in theopposite direction. Because the micro screw ridges 48 are likened to aworm gear and the proximal ring ridges are likened to a ring gear,rotation of the micro adjusting screw 10 will cause controlled smallchanges in the relationship between the proximal ring 6 and metal distalring 5. These controlled small changes are used to make smalladjustments to the distance settings.

The metal knob 12 is attached by conventional means to the end of themicro adjusting screw. Knob 12 provides the advantage required toovercome the resistance to rotation that is caused by spring 21 and thedivots 23 so the micro adjusting screw 10 can be turned by hand. Knob 12also provides the advantage required to overcome the resistance tobecoming disengaged that is caused by the configuration of spring 21 andthe divots 23.

The divots 23 are equally spaced about the diameter of the microadjusting screw 10 and provide a means to control the rotation of themicro adjusting screw 10 in incremental steps. The divots 23 also helpthe spring 21 to hold the micro adjusting screw 10 in the engaged anddisengaged position as shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 9A respectfully.

A portion of the housing 4 is configured to have a diameter 54 that is aslip fit into the counterbored hole 52 of base 3. The housing 4 haslimited rotation about the line of sight axis 53 when the housing 4 ismounted to the base 3 and the proximal ring 6 and the distal ring 5 willcontinue to rotate freely.

A threaded mounting hole 50 is provided in base 3 to accept the metalaxis alignment screw 14. The axis alignment screw 14 attaches thehousing 4 to the base 3 through a metal washer 15 and axis-adjustingslot 32.

To align the straight up and down movement of the image seen through theproximal prism 1 and distal prism 2 with the up and down plane of theprojectile's trajectory the axis alignment screw 14 is loosened and theaxis adjusting slot 32 allows the housing 4 to be rotated a limitedamount with respect to the base 3. When the straight up and downmovement of the image is aligned, the axis alignment screw 14 istightened to hold the housing 4 aligned to the base 3.

A portion of the outside of housing 4 has a diameter that is a slip fitwith the inside diameter of metal adjusting ring 7. That diameter isconcentric with the diameter of the distal ring 5 and overlaps a portionof the distal ring 5 on the outside of housing 4. A distance-adjustingslot 33 is cut though that diameter to provide clearance for metalspacer 18. A metal adjusting ring screw 16 attaches the metal indiciapointer 9, the adjusting ring 7 and spacer 18 to the distal ring 5through distance adjusting slot 33 and threads into distal ringattachment hole 49. When micro adjusting screw 10 is disengaged, theadjusting ring 7 can be rotated manually about the line of sight axis 53causing distal ring 5 to also rotated about the line of sight axis 53the same amount. Distance adjusting slot 33 is long enough to allow theadjusting ring 7 to ring rotate the distal ring 5 one hundred eightydegrees about the line of sight axis.

Metal indicia ring 8 has an inside and an outside diameter that is cutthough at one point. Additional material is left on the outside diameterof indicia ring 8 at the cut point to provide for a drilled and tappedhole on one side of the cut in line with a clearance hole on the otherside of the cut. The metal indicia screw 17 is inserted through theclearance hole and threaded into the drilled and tapped hole. Thehousing 4 provides a length of diameter for the inside diameter andlength of the indicia ring 8. When indicia screw 17 is loosened, theindicia ring 8 can then be rotated on the housing 4 about the line ofsight axis 53. When indicia screw is tightened the indicia ring 8 can nolonger be move with respect to the housing 4. The outside diameter ofthe indicia ring 8 is of a size that allows for the addition of aremovable writing surface and still provides clearance for the indiciapointer 9. The indicia ring 8 is used for recording and aligningcustomized distance indicia 45 with the indicia pointer 9. Indiciapointer 9 points at zero on the reference indicia 44 when the adjustingring 7 is turned as far counterclockwise as the distance adjusting slot33 will allow. Reference indicia 44 are even spaced marks on the housing4 that can be referenced by the indicia pointer 9 as the adjusting ring7 rotates the distal ring 5 the one hundred eighty degrees of rotationallowed by distance adjusting slot 33.

The proximal ring 6 and distal ring 5 have an inside diameter that isconcentric to the outside diameter but is smaller than the diameters ofthe proximal prism 1 and the distal prism 2, respectfully. That insidediameter is concentrically counterbored to a diameter that is a slip-fitwith the diameters of the proximal prism 1 and distal prism 2,respectfully. The counterbored portions of proximal ring 6 and thedistal ring 5 are configured to leave a thin portion of the originalinside diameter on the distal end of the proximal ring 6 and on theproximal end of the distal ring 5. This provides a surface that capturesand aligns one side of the proximal prism 1 and distal prism 2.

The glass proximal prism 1 and the glass distal prism 2 are mounted inproximal ring 6 and distal ring 5 respectfully, using a proximal prismglue bead 19 and a distal prism glue bead 20 respectfully. Proximalprism glue bead 19 and distal prism glue bead 20 are made with epoxytype glue after proximal prism 1 and distal prism 2 are oriented inproximal ring 6 and distal ring 5 respectfully, so that when the indiciapointer 9 is pointing at zero on the reference indicia 44, the maximumangle of deflection of the line of sight through proximal prism 1 anddistal prism 2 is straight up.

The distal end of housing 4 is has a viewing port 55 that allows theimage to enter the distal prism 2. The proximal end of the housing 4 iscounterbored to a diameter that is a slip fit with the diameter ofdistal ring 5 and a portion of the diameter of the proximal ring 6 andto a depth that provides for a slip fit with the distal ring 5 when thehousing 4, distal ring 5, proximal ring 6 and base 3 are assembled intoa single unit.

A portion of the proximal end of housing 4 and the counterbored hole iscut-away on one side to provide clearance for distal cable 24, proximalcable 25, distal pulley 28 and proximal pulley 29.

The distal cable 24 and proximal cable 25 are made of a very flexiblelow-stretch synthetic fiber and the distal pulley 28 and proximal pulley29 are made of a plastic that works well as a bearing material on themetal distal pulley pin 30 and the metal proximal pulley pin 31.

Distal pulley 28 and proximal pulley 29 have holes through the centerpoint of their diameters that are a slip fit with the distal pulley pin30 and proximal pulley pin 29 respectively, and a concentric groove intheir diameters that accommodates the distal cable 24 and the proximalcable 25 respectively. Holes are drilled into housing 4 that are a pressfit on the distal pulley pin 30 and the proximal pulley pin 31 andperpendicular to the distal cable 24 and proximal cable 25 respectively.The distal pulley pin 30 and proximal pulley pin 31 are pressed into thepress fit holes in the housing 4 through the center of distal pulley 28and proximal pulley 29 respectively, and into a continuation of thepress fit holes in housing 4. This causes the distal pulley pin 30 andproximal pulley pin 31 to be supported at each end and to be axles fordistal pulley 28 and proximal pulley 29 respectively. Distal pulley 28and proximal pulley 29 have diameters with grooves that align the distalcable 24 and the proximal cable 25 with grooves in the distal ring 5 andproximal ring 6.

The two grooves cut into distal ring 5 and the two grooves cut intoproximal ring 6 accommodate the diameters of the distal cable 24 andproximal cable 25 such that the distal cable 24 and proximal cable 25 donot interfere with the slip fit rotation of the distal ring 5 andproximal ring 6 within the base 3 and housing 4. The grooves cut intodistal ring 5 and proximal ring 6 are concentric with the diameters ofdistal ring 5 and proximal ring 6 and have equal diameters with respectto the line of sight axis 53. The grooves cut into distal ring 5 andproximal ring 6 are spaced apart from each other such that the groovesused for the distal cable 24 align with the grooves cut into thediameter of distal pulley 28 and that the grooves used for the proximalcable 25 align with the grooves cut into the diameter of proximal pulley29. The distal pulley 28 and the proximal pulley 29 are positioned inthe housing 4 such that their relationship with the distal ring 5 andthe proximal ring 6 causes the distal cable 24 and the proximal cable 25to be in the same plane when the cables leave, go around distal pulley28 and proximal pulley 29 respectfully and return to the distal ring 5and the proximal ring 6.

A distal ring cutout 46 in distal ring 5 provides clearance for asecurely knotted end of distal cable 24 and a securely knotted end ofproximal cable 25 around distal pin 26. The ends of the metal distal pin26 and metal proximal pin 27 are secured in holes drilled in distal ring5 and proximal ring 6 respectfully. Distal cable 24 wraps clockwisearound distal ring 5 in the groove cut into the diameter of distal ring5 that aligns with the groove in the diameter of the distal pulley 28.Proximal cable 25 wraps counterclockwise around distal ring 5 in thegroove cut into the diameter of distal ring 5 that aligns with thegroove in the diameter of the proximal pulley 29.

Where the clearance is provided in housing 4, the distal cable 24 exitsthe groove in the diameter of distal ring 5 and goes around distalpulley 28 in the groove on the diameter of distal pulley 28. The distalcable 24 then enters the groove in the diameter of the proximal ring 6that aligns with the groove in the diameter of distal pulley 28 thatcauses the portions of distal cable 24 between the distal pulley 28 andthe distal ring 5 and proximal ring 6 to be parallel to each other. Thedistal cable 24 then wraps counterclockwise around proximal ring 6 andterminates in a secure knot around proximal pin 27 in the clearanceprovided in proximal ring 6 by the proximal ring cutout 47.

Where the clearance is provided in housing 4, the proximal cable 25exits the groove in the diameter of the proximal ring 6 and goes aroundthe proximal pulley 27 in the groove on the diameter of the distalpulley 27. The proximal cable 25 then enters the groove in the diameterof the proximal ring 6 that aligns with the groove in the diameter ofthe proximal pulley 27 that causes the portions of the proximal cable 25between the proximal pulley 27 and the distal ring 5 and proximal ring 6to be parallel to each other. The proximal cable 25 then wraps clockwisearound proximal ring 6 and terminates in a secure knot around proximalpin 27 in the clearance provided in proximal ring 6 by the proximal ringcutout 47.

The lengths of the distal cable 24 and proximal cable 25 areapproximately equal and such that there is no slack in either one. Thedistal cable 24 and proximal cable 25 have ends that have been melted toform a hard ball on each individual end that is larger than the diameterof the cable that keeps the ends of the cables from pulling through theknots on the distal pin 27 and the proximal pin 27.

A single cable that is equal to the combined lengths of distal cable 24and proximal cable 25 can replace the distal cable 24 and proximal cable25. The center of a single cable is securely knotted to the distal pin26 and the two remaining portions are used just like the distal cable 24and the proximal cable 25 are used after they have been securely knottedto distal pin 26.

With no slack in the cables, when the distal ring 5 is rotated about theline of sight axis 53 by adjusting ring 7, the proximal ring 6 willrotate about the line of sight axis 53 in an equal but oppositedirection. With no slack in the cables, when the proximal ring 6 isrotated about the line of sight axis 53 by the micro adjusting screw 10,the distal ring 5 will rotate about the line of sight axis 53 in anequal but opposite direction.

In a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 8, 8A, 9, 9A, 10 and 10A theshell includes a base 3 and a housing 58 to which all the othercomponents are added. The base 3 and housing 58 are made of metal.

The outside configuration of base 3 needs to take into account themanner in which the aiming device is mounted to a projectile device.Examples of some outside configurations are shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5where a post 34 was added to the outside configuration of base 3 in FIG.4 and a threaded portion 37 was add to the outside configuration of base3 in FIG. 5.

The proximal end of base 3 has a viewing port 51 of a size as shown inFIG. 3, that allows for viewing the image that passes through the glassdistal prism 2 and glass proximal prism 1. The distal end of base 3 hasa counterbored hole 52 that is aligned and concentric with the viewingport 51. Counterbored hole 52 has a diameter that allows for a slip fitwith the outside diameter of metal proximal ring 41. Counterbored hole52 has a depth that allows for a slip fit with the proximal ring 41 whenthe housing 58, metal distal ring 42, proximal ring 41 and base 3 areassembled into a single unit. The counterbored hole 52 is cut-away onone side to provide for a micro adjusting screw 10.

A metal Micro adjusting screw 10 is attached to a pivot 11 by insertinga smooth portion of the micro adjusting screw 10 that has a diametersmaller than the micro screw ridges 48 through a hole in pivot 11 and isheld in place by a metal retaining screw 13. The head of retaining screw13 has a larger diameter than that portion of the micro adjusting screw10 that is inserted into a hole in pivot 11. Retaining screw 13 isthreaded into a drilled and tapped hole in the end of micro adjustingscrew 10 and is tightened against the end of micro adjusting screw 11.An access hole (not shown) must be made in the base 3 to install metalretaining screw 13.

Pivot 11 is made of a plastic material that provides a tight butrotatable fit around the smooth portion of the micro adjusting screw 10that is inserted into a hole in the pivot 11. Pivot 11 also provides fora tight but rotatable fit between the head of retaining screw 13 and theflange created on the micro adjusting screw 10 by having a diametersmaller than the micro screw ridges 48. Pivot 11 provides a diameterthat is inserted into a hole in base 3 and is at a right angle to themicro adjusting screw 10. The diameter portion of pivot 11 is insertedinto a hole in base 3 and is of a size that provides a tight butrotatable fit with the hole in base 3. The depth of the hole in base 3,the length of the diameter portion of pivot 11 and the portion of pivot11 that the micro adjusting screw 10 is inserted into is configured suchthat pivot 11 does not extend above the surface that the housing 58 ismounted to. The hole in pivot 11 that connects with micro adjustingscrew 10 is located in a location that causes the micro screw ridges 48of micro adjusting screw 10 to be in the same plane as the proximal ringridges 43 of proximal ring 6.

The micro adjusting screw 10 extends from the pivot 11 through a slot inbase 3 that allows the micro adjusting screw 10 to move in an arc withpivot 11 as the center of that arc. The arc that the slot in base 3allows is enough to cause the micro screw ridges 48 of micro adjustingscrew 10 to engage and disengage with the proximal ring ridges 43 ofproximal ring 41.

The micro screw ridges 48 of micro adjusting screw 10 uniformly spiralalong a portion of the length of micro adjusting screw 10 whilemaintaining a consistent diameter, just like the threads on a standardscrew. The proximal ring ridges 43 that are part of the outside surfaceof proximal ring 41 are configured such that when the micro screw ridges48 are engaged with the proximal ring ridges 43 that the proximal ring41 will not rotate about the line-of-sight axis 53 until the microadjusting screw 10 is disengaged or rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Micro adjusting screw 10 is held in the position engaged by a speciallyconfigured spring 21. Spring 21 is made of metal spring wire and isshaped to apply pressure to the divots 23 that are equally spaced aboutthe diameter of micro adjusting screw 10. Spring 21 is shaped so that itcan be attached to base 3 by metal screw 22 threading into a drilled andtapped hole in base 3. Clearance for the placement and subsequentoperational movement of spring 21 must be provided in base 3.

Spring 21 is configured such that when micro adjusting screw 10 is inthe engaged position as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 8A, that spring 21 isin a relationship to divots 23 that causes the micro adjusting screw 10to resist becoming disengaged and to resist rotating about thelongitudinal axis. Spring 21 is also configured so that when the microadjusting screw 10 is in the disengaged position as shown in FIG. 9 andFIG. 9A, that the micro adjusting screw 10 resists moving to the engagedposition.

When micro adjusting screw 10 is in the engaged position, theconfiguration of the micro screw ridges 48 and the proximal ring ridges43 is such that the metal proximal ring 41 can not rotate unless microadjusting screw 10 is rotated about its longitudinal axis. When in theengaged position and the micro adjusting screw 10 is rotated the microscrew ridges 48 exert a pressure on the proximal ring ridges 43 thatcauses the proximal ring 41 to rotate about the line of sight axis 53.Because of the linkage between the proximal ring 41 and the distal ring42, when the proximal ring 41 rotates about the line of sight axis 53,the distal ring 42 also rotates about the line of sight axis 53 but inthe opposite direction. Because the micro screw ridges 48 are likened toa worm gear and the proximal ring ridges are likened to a ring gear,rotation of the micro adjusting screw 10 will cause controlled smallchanges in the relationship between the proximal ring 41 and distal ring42. These controlled small changes are used to make small adjustments tothe distance settings.

The metal knob 12 is attached by conventional means to the end of themicro adjusting screw. Knob 12 provides the advantage required toovercome the resistance to rotation that is caused by spring 21 and thedivots 23 so the micro adjusting screw 10 can be turned by hand. Knob 12also provides the advantage required to overcome the resistance tobecoming disengaged that is caused by the configuration of spring 21 andthe divots 23.

The divots 23 are equally spaced about the diameter of the microadjusting screw 10 and provide a means to control the rotation of themicro adjusting screw 10 in incremental steps. The divots 23 help thespring 21 to hold the micro adjusting screw 10 in the engaged anddisengaged position as shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 9A respectfully.

A portion of the housing 58 is configured to have a diameter 54 that isa slip fit into the counterbored hole 52 of base 3. The housing 58 haslimited rotation about the line of sight axis 53 when the housing 58 ismounted to the base 3 and the proximal ring 41 and the distal ring 42will continue to rotate freely.

A threaded mounting hole 50 is provided in base 3 to accept the metalaxis alignment screw 14. The axis alignment screw 14 attaches thehousing 58 to the base 3 through a metal washer 15 and axis-adjustingslot 32.

To align the straight up and down movement of the image seen through theproximal prism 1 and distal prism 2 with the up and down plane of theprojectile's trajectory the axis alignment screw 14 is loosened and theaxis adjusting slot 32 allows the housing 58 to be rotated a limitedamount with respect to the base 3. When the straight up and downmovement of the image is aligned, the axis alignment screw 14 istightened to hold the housing 58 aligned to the base 3.

A portion of the outside of housing 58 has a diameter that is a slip fitwith the inside diameter of metal adjusting ring 7. That diameter isconcentric with the diameter of the distal ring 42 and overlaps aportion of the distal ring 42 on the outside of housing 58. Adistance-adjusting slot 33 is cut though that diameter to provideclearance for metal spacer 18. A metal adjusting ring screw 16 attachesthe metal indicia pointer 9, the adjusting ring 7 and spacer 18 to thedistal ring 42 through distance adjusting slot 33 and threads intodistal ring attachment hole 49. When micro adjusting screw 10 isdisengaged, the adjusting ring 7 can be rotated manually about the lineof sight axis 53 causing distal ring 42 to also rotated about the lineof sight axis 53 the same amount. Distance adjusting slot 33 is longenough to allow the adjusting ring 7 to ring rotate the distal ring 42one hundred eighty degrees about the line of sight axis.

Metal indicia ring 8 has an inside and an outside diameter that is cutthough at one point. Additional material is left on the outside diameterof indicia ring 8 at the cut point to provide for a drilled and tappedhole on one side of the cut in line with a clearance hole on the otherside of the cut. The metal indicia screw 17 is inserted through theclearance hole and threaded into the drilled and tapped hole. Thehousing 58 provides a length of diameter for the inside diameter andlength of the indicia ring 8. When indicia screw 17 is loosened, theindicia ring 8 can then be rotated on the housing 58 about the line ofsight axis 53. When indicia screw is tightened the indicia ring 8 can nolonger be move with respect to the housing 58. The outside diameter ofthe indicia ring 8 is of a size that allows for the addition of aremovable writing surface and still provides clearance for the indiciapointer 9. The indicia ring 8 is used for recording and aligningcustomized distance indicia 45 with the indicia pointer 9. Indiciapointer 9 points at zero on the reference indicia 44 when the adjustingring 7 is turned as far counterclockwise as the distance adjusting slot33 will allow. Reference indicia 44 are even spaced marks on the housing58 that can be referenced by the indicia pointer 9 as the adjusting ring7 rotates the distal ring 42 the one hundred eighty degrees of rotationallowed by distance adjusting slot 33.

The proximal ring 41 and distal ring 42 have an inside diameter that isconcentric to the outside diameter but is smaller than the diameters ofthe proximal prism 1 and the distal prism 2, respectfully. That insidediameter is concentrically counterbored to a diameter that is a slip-fitwith the diameters of the proximal prism 1 and distal prism 2,respectfully. The counterbored portions of proximal ring 41 and thedistal ring 42 are configured to leave a thin portion of the originalinside diameter on the distal end of the proximal ring 41 and on theproximal end of the distal ring 42. This provides a surface thatcaptures and aligns one side of the proximal prism 1 and distal prism 2.

The glass proximal prism 1 and the glass distal prism 2 are mounted inproximal ring 41 and distal ring 42 respectfully, using a proximal prismglue bead 19 and a distal prism glue bead 20 respectfully. Proximalprism glue bead 19 and distal prism glue bead 20 are made with epoxytype glue after proximal prism 1 and distal prism 2 are oriented inproximal ring 41 and distal ring 42 respectfully, so that when theindicia pointer 9 is pointing at zero on the reference indicia 44, themaximum angle of deflection of the line of sight through proximal prism1 and distal prism 2 is straight up.

The distal end of housing 58 is has a viewing port 55 that allows theimage to enter the distal prism 2. The proximal end of the housing 58 iscounterbored to a diameter that is a slip fit with the diameter ofdistal ring 42 and a portion of the diameter of the proximal ring 41 andto a depth that provides for a slip fit with the distal ring 42 when thehousing 58, distal ring 42, proximal ring 41 and base 3 are assembledinto a single unit.

Press fit holes have been drilled thought the housing 58 to accommodatethe metal gear pins 56 that hold the metal gears 57 in place. The gearpins 56 have a diameter that is a slip fit through the gears 57 and apress fit into housing 58. The gear pins 56 have a larger diameter thatcapture the gears 57 against the inside diameter of housing 58 such thatthe gears 57 can rotate freely.

The gears 57 have an equal amount of evenly spaced gear-like ridges thatare parallel to the length of the central hole that the gear pins 56 gothrough and the ridges are concentric to the diameter of the centralhole. The ridges on the gears 57 are configured to align with and be asmooth rolling fit with ridges in the proximal end of the distal ring 42and with the ridges in the distal end of proximal ring 41.

With only one of the gears 57 secured in place by one of the gear pins56 the rotation of the proximal ring 41 becomes linked to the distalring 42 such that when either the proximal ring 41 or the distal ring 42is rotated about the line of sight axis 53, the adjoining ring willrotate in the opposite direction about the line of sight axis 53. Morethan one of the gears 57 is used to keep the rotational movements ofproximal ring 41 and distal ring 42 smooth and parallel.

All the gears 57 have the same number of ridges. The number of ridges onthe proximal end of the distal ring 42 equals the number of ridges onthe distal end of proximal ring 41.

Slack in the linkage between distal ring 42 and proximal ring 41 isminimized by using more than one of the gears 57. The gears 57 should bepositioned such that the timing of the engagement of the ridges of thegears 57 to the ridges of the proximal ring 41 and the ridges of thedistal ring 42 is not the same for each of the gears 57.

A third embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 11-13, consists of aframework made up of a base 59 and a housing 60 to which all the othercomponents are added. The base 59 and housing 60 are made of metal.

The outside configuration of base 59 needs to take into account themanner in which the aiming device is going to be mounted to a projectiledevice. The base 59 that is shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 is configuredto facilitate the attachment of a mounting bracket 85 for an archerybow. The outside shape could be configured to incorporate a threadedportion similar to the threaded portion 37 that was added to the outsideconfiguration of base 3 in FIG. 5 to facilitate attachment to atelescopic sight.

The proximal side of base 59 when viewed in the direction of the line ofsight 53 as shown in FIG. 12, has a viewing port that allows for viewingthe image that passes through the glass distal prism 2 and glassproximal prism 1. The distal side of base 3 has a counterbored hole thatis aligned and concentric with the viewing port. The counterbored holehas a diameter that allows for a slip fit with the outside diameter ofmetal proximal ring 61. The counterbored hole has a depth that allowsfor a slip fit with the proximal ring 61 when the housing 60, metaldistal ring 62, proximal ring 61 and base 59 are assembled into a singleunit.

A portion of the counterbored hole is cut-away to allow for the freemovement of the protruding portion of the proximal ring 61 that attachesto the metal proximal ring link 63. The cut-away portion of thecounterbored hole of the base 59 starts directly opposite the portion ofthe base 59 that protrudes away from the counterbored hole as shown inFIG. 13. The cut-away portion of the counterbored hole ends at the placewhere the protruding portion of the base 59 starts to protrude.

The portion that protrudes away from the counterbored hole of the base59 is configured to provide press-fit alignment holes for metalalignment pins 86 and holes that are countersunk for metal flat headscrews 87. FIGS. 11 and 13 show that portion of the base 59 configuredto act as a rail along which the mounting bracket 85 can be attached.

The distal side of housing 60 when viewed in the direction of the lineof sight 53 has a viewing port as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 that allowsfor viewing the image that passes through the distal prism 2 andproximal prism 1. The proximal side of housing 60 has a counterboredhole that is aligned and concentric with the viewing port. Thecounterbored hole has a diameter that allows for a slip fit with theoutside diameter of distal ring 62. The counterbored hole has a depththat allows for a slip fit with the distal ring 62 when the housing 60,distal ring 62, proximal ring 61 and base 59 are assembled into a singleunit.

A portion of the counterbored hole is cut-away to allow for the freemovement of the protruding portion of the distal ring 62 that attachesto the metal proximal ring link 66. The cut-away portion of thecounterbored hole of the housing 60 starts directly opposite the portionof the housing 60 that protrudes away from the counterbored hole asshown in FIG. 13. The cut-away portion of the counterbored hole stops atthe place where the protruding portion of the housing 60 starts toprotrude.

The portion that protrudes away from the counterbored hole of thehousing 60 is configured on the proximal side to provide slip-fitalignment holes for alignment pins 86 and threaded holes for flat headscrews 87. The alignment holes of the housing 60 and base 59 areconfigured so that when the distal side of base 59 is mated with theproximal side of housing 60 that the counterbores at the ends of thehousing 60 and base 59 are aligned and concentric to each other and thethreaded holes in the housing 60 align with the countersunk holes inbase 59 when the alignment pins 86 are in place. The flat head screws 87are used to secure the base 59 to the housing 60 after the alignmentpins 86 are in place.

The portion of the housing 60 that protrudes perpendicularly away fromthe counterbored hole in the proximal side of housing 60 is configuredto act as a rail that allows only linear movement of the metal slider 74and the metal micro slider 81 along the length of the rail. The lengthof the rail portion of the housing 60 is determined by the amount ofrotation of the proximal ring 61 and the distal ring 62 are allowed bythe cutout portions of the housing 60 and base 59 to be translated intothe straight line movement of slider 74 and the micro slider 81 alongthe rail. The distal side of that portion of housing 60 has permanentreference indicia 83 that are used to reference different degrees oforientation of the wedge prisms 1 and 2 for different distances on thetrajectory of the projectile. The distal side of that portion of thehousing 60 also provides a space for removable writing material so thatthe shooter can use customized reference indicia 84.

The proximal ring 61 and the distal ring 62 have an inside diameter thatis concentric to the outside diameter but is smaller than the diametersof the proximal prism 1 and the distal prism 2, respectfully. Thatinside diameter is concentrically counterbored to a diameter that is aslip-fit with the diameters of the proximal prism 1 and distal prism 2,respectfully. The counterbored portions of proximal ring 61 and thedistal ring 62 are configured to leave a thin portion of the originalinside diameter on the distal end of the proximal ring 61 and on theproximal end of the distal ring 62. This provides a surface thatcaptures and aligns one side of the proximal prism 1 and distal prism 2.

The glass proximal prism 1 and the glass distal prism 2 are mounted inproximal ring 61 and distal ring 62 respectfully, using a proximal prismglue bead 70 and a distal prism glue bead 69 respectfully. Proximalprism glue bead 70 and distal prism glue bead 69 are made with epoxytype glue after proximal prism 1 and distal prism 2 are oriented inproximal ring 61 and distal ring 62 respectfully, so that when theslider 74 is centered between the two extreme positions possible on therail of the housing 60 the angle of deflection of the line of sightthrough proximal prism 1 and distal prism 2 is zero.

The proximal ring 61 and distal ring 62 each have a protrusion thatextends outward from and perpendicular to the outside diameter. Theprotrusion is located and configured to align with the clearances cut inthe base 59 and the housing 60, respectfully. The protrusion on proximalring 61 has a threaded hole that is used to attach one end of theproximal ring link 63 to the proximal ring 61 using metal shoulder screw64. The protrusion on distal ring 62 has a threaded hole that is used toattach one end of the distal ring link 66 to the distal ring 62 usingmetal shoulder screw 67.

The distal ring link 66 has a hole in the end that attaches to distalring 62 that is a slip fit with the smooth diameter portion of shoulderscrew 67. The opposite end of distal ring link 66 has a hole that is aslip fit with the smooth diameter portion of shoulder screw 68 that isused to attach that end to the slider 74.

The proximal ring link 63 has a hole in the end that attaches toproximal ring 61 that is a slip fit with the smooth diameter portion ofshoulder screw 64. The opposite end of proximal ring link 63 has athread hole that is used to attach that end to the metal straight-lineadjustment piece 71 using metal shoulder screw 65.

The straight-line adjustment piece 71 has a hole that is a slip fit withthe smooth diameter portion of shoulder screw 65. The straight-lineadjustment piece 71, the proximal ring link 63 and the protrusions onproximal ring 61 are configured so that the proximal ring link 63 isparallel to the rail portion of housing 60.

The straight-line adjustment piece 71 is keyed to fit into a keyway cutinto slider 74. The metal straight-line clamping screw 73 goes throughthe metal straight-line washer 72 and a slot in the straight-lineadjustment piece 71 and screws into a threaded hole in the slider 74.The straight-line adjustment piece 71 and the keyway in the slider 74are configured such that when the straight-line clamping screw 73 isloosened that the straight-line adjustment piece 71 can be moved a smallamount in either direction along the keyway in the slider 74. Then bysecurely tightening the straight-line clamping screw 73, thestraight-line adjustment piece 71 is securely held in the new location.This adjustability is used to make any vertical alignment changes neededto for the straight-line movement of the image seen through proximalprism 1 and distal prism 2.

The distal ring link is attached to slider 74 using shoulder screw 68and a threaded hole in slider 74. The slider 74, the distal ring link 66and the protrusions on distal ring 62 are configured so that the distalring link 66 is parallel to the rail portion of housing 60.

The slider 74 and the micro slider 81 are configured to be captured onthe rail portion of housing 60 while providing a slip fit along therail. The slider 74 and micro slider 81 have threaded holes toaccommodate the metal slider locking screw 75 and metal micro sliderlocking screw 82, respectfully. The threaded holes extend to slots thatare cut into the slider 74 and the micro slider 81. The slot in theslider 74 is located and configured such that when the slider lockingscrew 75 is tightened by hand that a portion of slider 74 is forcedagainst the rail causing the slider 74 to be clamped to the rail portionof housing 60 and no longer movable along the length of the rail. Theslot in the micro slider 81 is located and configured such that when themicro slider locking screw 82 is tightened by hand that a portion ofmicro slider 81 is forced against the rail causing the micro slider 81to be clamped to the rail portion of housing 60 and no longer movablealong the length of the rail.

Slider locking screw 75 and micro slider locking screw 82 have a radiuson the end of the screw portion that pushes on the clamping portion ofslider 74 and micro slider 81, respectively. Slider locking screw 75 andmicro slider locking screw 82 have knobs securely attached to thethreaded portions. The knobs provide the leverage needed to hand tightenthe radiused ends of the screw portion against the clamping portions ofthe slider 74 and micro slider 81, respectively, tight enough to preventunwanted movement of slider 74 and micro slider 81 along the rail partof the housing 60.

A viewing port is cut into slider 74 that permits the reference indicia83 and the user indicia 84 behind the center portion of the slider 74 tobe visible. The viewing port is configured to have a nonadjustablepointer that aligns with the reference indicia 83. The viewing port inslider 74 also provides clearance for a metal movable pointer 76 to bealigned with the user indicia 84.

The metal movable pointer locking screw 78 is inserted though themovable pointer washer 77 and a slot in the movable pointer 76 and isscrewed into a threaded hole in slider 74. The slider 74 is configuredso that when the movable pointer locking screw 78 is loosened that themovable pointer 76 can be moved a small amount in either direction alongthe user indicia 84 and will be securely held in the new location whenthe movable pointer locking screw 78 is tightened.

The micro slider 81 is movably connected to slider 74 by the metalthreaded rod 79. One end of threaded rod 79 is securely attached to theslider 74 such that the length of the threaded rod 79 extends throughtwo holes in the micro slider 81 and is parallel to the rail portion ofhousing 60. The two holes in the micro slider 81 are a slip fit with thediameter of the threaded rod 79 and are separated by a distance that isa slip fit with the length of metal knurled adjustment nut 80. Theknurled adjustment nut 80 has a threaded hole through the center that isconcentric with the outside diameter.

The micro slider 81 is configured such that when the micro locking screw82 is tightened and the slider locking screw 75 is loosened that theknurled adjustment nut 80 can be rotated about the threaded rod 79causing controlled movement of the slider 74 along the rail portion ofthe housing 60.

A fourth embodiment of the invention, which is not shown in thedrawings, uses two miniature electric stepper motors that are controlledand synchronized electronically. A separately mounted electronic controlwould contain the appropriate motor drivers, number keyboard andelectronics to provide for the synchronized movement of the motorsrelating to input from the number keyboard. The electronics would be setup so that a distance could be entered into the keyboard and the motorswould cause the wedge prisms 1 and 2 to rotate in the proper directionand the appropriate amount for that distance. The proper direction andappropriate amount would be the direction and amount that would causethe projectile to be aimed such that the projectile will hit a target atthe distance entered into the keyboard.

The electronics would be connected to the motors with the necessarywiring.

The glass wedge prisms 1 and 2 are respectfully mounted in a metalproximal wedge prism ring and a metal distal wedge prism ring using anepoxy glue bead like proximal prism glue bead 19 and distal prism gluebead 20. The proximal and distal wedge prism rings, each providecompatible matching thread like ridges, similar to the proximal ringridges 43. The distal and proximal wedge prism rings have an outsidediameter that is a slip fit in a counterbored portion of a metal housingpiece and a metal base piece, respectfully. The distal and proximalwedge prism rings have a length that is a slip fit with the depth of thecounterbored portions of the housing piece and the base piece such thatwhen the housing piece is fastened to the base piece, the distal andproximal wedge prism rings in the counterbores are captured and are freeto rotate with little resistance.

The housing piece and the base piece are configured such that they canbe fastened together with a metal clamping screw going through a washer,a slot in the housing and screwed into a threaded hole in the base. Theslot in the housing piece is such that when the clamping screw thatholds the housing piece to the base piece is loosened the housing piececan be rotated with respect to the base piece within the limits of thatslot. Then by securely tightening the clamping screw the housing piececan be securely held in the new location with respect to the base piece.This adjustability is used to make any vertical alignment changes neededto for the straight-line movement of the image seen through proximalprism 1 and distal prism 2.

A portion of the housing piece is configured to have a slip fit diameterthat fits into the counterbored portion of the base piece similar to theslip fit diameter 54. The slip fit diameter maintains a concentricallyalignment of the section counterbored for the distal wedge prism ring inthe housing piece with the section counterbored for the proximal wedgeprism ring in the base piece.

A reference slot is cut in the housing piece that is similar thedistance adjusting slot 33. The reference slot is configured to allow ametal pointer like indicia pointer 9 to be attached with a metal screwgoing through the pointer and appropriate spacers and screwing into athreaded hole in the distal wedge prism. The pointer will then move withthe distal wedge prism. The pointer will then move along indicia similarto the reference indicia 44 that are on the outside of the housing pieceproviding a visual reference that indicates the alignment relationshipof the wedge prisms 1 and 2.

The motors have metal output shafts that has a diameter that isconfigured to provide screw like ridges, like the micro screw ridges 48,similar to a worm gear.

The housing piece is configured to facilitate mounting one motor to thehousing piece such that the screw like ridges on the shaft of the motoralign with and are permanently engaged with the screw like ridges in thedistal wedge prism ring. Clearance is provide in the housing piece forthe shaft of the motor along with a means to capture the end of theshaft with a bushing. The bushing is inserted into the housing piece andis made of standard type bushing material. The bushing is immovablyattached to the housing piece. The bushing has a hole that allows forthe free rotation of the end of the shaft while preventing thedeflection of the motor shaft ridges away from the screw like ridges inthe distal wedge prism ring.

The base piece is configured to facilitate mounting one motor to thebase piece such that the screw like ridges on the shaft of the motoralign with and are permanently engaged with the screw like ridges in theproximal wedge prism ring. Clearance is provide in the base piece forthe shaft of the motor along with a means to capture the end of theshaft with a bushing. The bushing is inserted into the base piece and ismade of standard-type bushing material. The bushing is immovablyattached to the base piece. The bushing has a hole that allows for thefree rotation of the end of the shaft while preventing the deflection ofthe motor shaft ridges away from the screw like ridges in the proximalwedge prism ring.

Consideration must be given to how the aiming device is mounted to theprojectile launcher when the base piece is configured. The location ofthe provisions for mounting the motors to the housing piece and the basepiece motors must take into account how the aiming device is mounted tothe projectile launcher and the overall application of my invention.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used therein as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms andexpressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of theinvention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

1) An aiming device for a projectile launcher, comprising: a) first andsecond light bending elements which are concentrically aligned; b) arotation mechanism which allows counter rotation of said first andsecond light bending elements relative to one another in a synchronousmanner such that a line of sight through the aiming device moves along asubstantially straight vertical line as said rotation mechanism isrotated; c) a calibration element associated with said rotationmechanism which indicates the amount of rotation of said rotationmechanism that causes said line of sight to pass through the point wherea projectile launched by the projectile launcher will be when it reachesa particular distance from the projectile launcher. 2) The aiming deviceof claim 1 wherein said light bending elements are wedge-shaped prisms.3) The aiming device of claim 1 wherein said rotation mechanism allowsboth of said light bending elements to be rotated 180 degrees. 4) Theaiming device of claim 1 wherein said light bending elements are locatedin an elongate tubular shell. 5) The aiming device of claim 1 whereinlight bending elements are mounted in two rotatable rings and the lightbending element in one ring is equal to the light-bending element in theother ring. 6) The aiming device of claim 5 wherein said rotationmechanism comprises of one or more cable-like linkages between saidrotatable rings. 7) The aiming device of claim 6 wherein said one ormore cable-like linkages include two or more rollers to change thedirection of the tension of said cable-like linkages. 8) The aimingdevice of claim 5 wherein the said rotation mechanism comprises saidrotatable rings having gear-like ridges that facilitate thesynchronization of concentric opposite rotation of said rotatable rings.9) The aiming device of claim 8 wherein said rotation mechanismcomprises gear-like linkage between said rotatable rings. 10) The aimingdevice of claim 9 wherein said gear-like linkage includes one gear-likelink. 11) The aiming device of claim 9 wherein said gear-like linkageincludes more than one gear-like link. 12) The aiming device of claim 11wherein the gear-like linkage is staggered in relationship to therotatable rings such that at least one or more of the gear-like linkagesis not in the same phase of engagement with said gear-like ridges. 13)The aiming device of claim 5 wherein said rotation elements includefriction engagement elements which facilitate the synchronization of theconcentric opposite rotation of said rings. 14) The aiming device ofclaim 13 wherein said friction engagement elements include rollers. 15)The image-moving device of claim 14 wherein there is one of saidrollers. 16) The image-moving device of claim 14 wherein there are morethan one of said rollers. 17) The device of claim 5 wherein saidrotation elements include a ridged linkage which synchronizes theconcentric opposite rotation of said rings. 18) The device of claim 17wherein said ridged linkage is linked to a common point that when movedcauses a synchronized and concentric opposite rotation of said rings.